As a longtime boss of Syracuse's backstage world, she's helped coordinate or consult for some of the biggest shows across Upstate New York, from Paul McCartney to Phish.

But when the Syracuse Area Music Awards committee announced they would induct her into its Hall of Fame this year, she hesitated.

"My first reaction was, 'No, thank you,'" said Waterman. "I have nothing but love for the SAMMYs but I was surprised to be part of that group. I like to be in the background. I don't look at myself as a Hall-of-Famer...but I'm not going to turn it down."

Stacey Waterman.

Indeed, many SAMMYs Hall of Fame inductees are longtime CNY performers, whose effects on the local music scene can be felt today. But Waterman's behind-the-scenes impact has also been enormous, even if she's not the one in the spotlight.

Her career highlights include being a programmer, consultant, production manager and logistics coordinator, working quietly for major Upstate concerts like The Avett Brothers, Bonnie Raitt and The Rolling Stones.

She's been an integral part of music programs for the Taste of Syracuse, Salt City Waltz, the Saranac Concert Series, Moe.Down Music Festival and 20 K-Rockathons.

Waterman is also the hired gun for promoter Live Nation at the Lakeview Amphitheater and Chevy Court at the NYS Fair. Last year, she said managing Lynyrd Skynyrd and Earth, Wind and Fire in one day was "totally insane."

"You can't make up how big and crazy the state fair gets because of the caliber of the artists," said Waterman. "You've got two major headliners per day and you're juggling all those flights and drivers to get bands where they need to be."

Waterman makes sure bands have everything they need when they're backstage. She figures out what the musicians eat and where they sleep. Eccentricities vary from artist to artist.

"One of the stranger requests was a veterinarian because one band had a cat that was not doing well," she said. "They were like, if the cat dies, everyone will have a really bad day. Oh, they spent so much money on that cat."

Crazy backstage stories depend on the show. Some artists are more social than others.

"The country guys love to party for sure," Waterman said. "But it's not always the headliners you'd expect; it's often the opening acts."

She's also dealt with wild bandmates or venue fire alarms going off because the bands are smoking pot.

Some promoters encourage mayhem backstage. Especially when someone's birthday rolls around, Waterman tracks down cakes or other requests for the performers.

"When The Avett Brothers had a sellout at the Landmark Theatre, they got an absurd amount of sushi," Waterman said. "We do our best to accommodate. I want everyone to leave with a good feeling."

The Avett Brothers performed at the Landmark Theatre on July 7, 2016. Scott and Seth Avett sing. (Dennis Nett)

Still, backstage management is a job. Waterman says some people think it's always a party, but many acts also keep to themselves and request privacy.

Waterman takes cues from other area promoters and festival managers, like Dave Rezak, Chuck Chao, Ed and Pam Levine and Frank Malfitano. On show days, she's usually on-site before 7 a.m. and working until after 1 a.m.

"Everyone wants to work with bands but you gotta have some stamina and thick skin," she said. "There's no whiners. It's hard work."

Waterman recently started working with Famous Artists to coordinate the Broadway shows that tour through Central New York. She'll also work on new shows for Creative Concerts at two revamped locations this summer, SI Hall at the fairgrounds and the Bud Light Amphitheater at Paper Mill Island.

"That's fun because it's all new to me," Waterman said. "You have to constantly ramp up your work. That's advice I took from Frank [Malfitano], that you're only as good as your last show."

She also credits Onondaga Nation for giving her "the best upbringing a child could have," by spending her formative years in the company of Haudenosaunee elders.

Her late father Daniel Waterman worked with local bands when she was young and fostered her love for music: "My father would have absolutely loved what I'm doing for a living."

Waterman doesn't get starstruck anymore, but she said the last time the job felt surreal was in 2015 at The Rolling Stones show in Buffalo.

"You feel the change in the air when the talent is in the building," she said. "They usually arrive mid-afternoon for soundcheck, and you can feel the change in temperature. Everyone gets a little on edge."

Another of her favorite shows was the last Allman Brothers Band concert at Mountain Jam, before the band officially retired. She left Taste of Syracuse at 2 a.m. to drive to the Hunter Mountain festival for that show.

"To get high fives from Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes was wicked cool," Waterman said. "That's when I really thought, this job isn't like everyone else's. You feel lucky."

Along with Waterman, John Cadley, Maryjo Spillane and DOVE will be inducted into the SAMMYs Hall of Fame for 2018. The SAMMYS HoF induction dinner takes place Upstairs at the Dinosaur on March 1.